Sticking to a $15,000 or less budget...

skerestman · January 2012

IS THIS POSSIBLE?

Hello Knotties (I think that is how its spelled)

This is my first time posting to the boards, just got engaged this past Christmas and I have started looking around for locations. I now find my self in need of some help.

Is it possible to have a Columbus wedding and reception with around 200 people, at a venue, and make it formal without busting our $15,000 budget? Does any one know of any venue that this would be a possibility? I really want to do this as far below budget as possible but can't seem to find any venues that are less than 10-15 thousand just for the venue food and drink!

Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks!

Kate2dance · January 2012

Our original budget was around $10,000. We are going to go over that now, unfortunately. The sad part is, we are having wedding AND reception at the church so it's much cheaper than it would be at an actual venue. Just try to cut costs where you can. For instance, we are now cutting out half the flower arrangements to save money. We are also downsizing our cake and supplementing with sheet cakes. We also had to change photographers.

Anyways, figure out what is really important to you... I have come to realize that I would rather have a downpayment on a home than spend all our money on our wedding. I wish I would've thought of that BEFORE I started signing contracts! I am definitely excited about the big day, though

Good luck, and there are so many helpful ladies on here that I have learned a lot from!

saacjw · January 2012

Depending on where you are in Columbus, consider looking north, toward the Polaris area. I found a venue that for about 150 people cost less than $7000. It's Glenross Country Club, and it's about halfway between Polaris and Delaware. On the same road is the Delaware County Council for Older Adults. My friend is using it and says it's free to rent, but you have to find the catering and stuff. Another option I found is The Lakes Country Club in Westerville. I can't remember the cost, but it wasn't bad, BUT it's not a good location for a winter wedding as their indoor space is weirdly shaped and kind of small. They have a good tent and outdoor area though. I also briefly looked at York Country Club, which is by the Josephinium just by the 23/270 intersection and Little Bear Golf Club, right by Polaris. I don't remember the cost estimates I had for those and I lost the document when my computer crashed, but I do know that they were less than the place we booked which is right around $15,000 for 150 people.

Other ways we've found to cut costs is that we're only serving beer and wine, no liquor. Doing that or going dry cuts costs quite a bit. Buffets will very likely be your friend. The more you do yourself in terms of flowers, centerpieces, invitations and what not, the less you'll spend as well.

skerestman · January 2012

Thanks ladies.

I am definitely looking into doing everything I can DIY and the cake is going to be small because my FI doesn't like cake so we are thinking like sheet cheesecake with toppings to choose from.

I had heard just beer and wine is cheaper so that is a definite too.

Any other ideas? I will definitely check the places mentioned, we are looking for anything in Columbus or the surrounding areas. Currently we are living in Hilliard so just about anywhere works.

Thanks again!

Carly245 · January 2012

I think that it's definitely possible if you set your mind to it! We are looking at around 150 and are spending around that same amount but I could have cut back if I needed to get that down. We are going with La scala but depending on the look you want there are some great options for venues out there! This board will be a big help!

Nineoceans · January 2012

Yes of course. Our budget is about $6k, but it was more important to us to have a smaller wedding without making sacrifices on the details than a bigger wedding with fewer of our details in the mix. Any budget is workable though don't get discouraged!

sarahgirl2 · January 2012

I had started to plan a wedding with tht same budget here in columbus (we changed our minds and are going to vegas now!!) BUT we had originally chosen Smith Brothers loft for the wedding. They will work with your budget, you can bring your own alcohol, and it doesnt need much decorating. You dont have to provide transportation for guests if you do the ceremony and reception there so that cuts costs.

jnkreager · January 2012

I think it is possible...especially if you book a venue that will let you choose your caterer and BYOB. I saved a lot by DIYing, and I am not a crafty person so don't be afraid if you are not either!

MrsColeman2012 · January 2012

LOL.....15k sounds like a dream to me! I am doing a wedding on a 6k budget. But mine will only be about 100 people MAX and I know that for 200 people you will have to spend a significantly larger amount. That said, a coworker of mine just got married a couple months ago and had a 5k wedding for about 250 people! Her wedding wasn't as formal as what I think you are planning but she definitely had all the bare minimums! As for me, I found a venue thats letting me bring my own caterer and alcohol....I am using very few flowers and instead using a ton of candles. I have researched til my eyes hurt lol but I found the best possible deals on everything from catering to flower petals! I am DIY my cake top, guest book, unity candle and several other things! It is totally do-able! Good Luck!

skerestman · January 2012

Thank you all so much. It really gives me a little hope! I am trying to do this as inexpensive as possible because our parents are being amazing and paying for it and my parents want to give me the world but with the times being how they are they cant help much at all. You guys have all renewed my hope though that we can do this inexpensive, so really, thank you!

karibrick · January 2012

I completely feel what you're going through! I'm pretty much in the same boat- around 200 guests while trying to stay under $15,000. Its definitely stressful at times! I would honestly plan a destination wedding if FI and my parents would let me!

We're doing our reception at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral downtown. We can pick from one of 8 caterers and bring in our own alcohol (and its within walking distance of a few hotels, we have a large amount of out of town guests and this way we won't need to provide transportation after the reception)

Just take it one planning aspect at a time and do tons of research on all the options (this board has been very helpful- I've already found an awesome but budget-friendly cake vendor and linen/decor rental. Just search this board for whatever you're looking for, there will definitely be options mentioned that you may not have heard of elsewhere).

SClouse3 · January 2012

I'm using The Jessing Center at the Josephinum Pontifical College and its a great price. You use Mass Appeal catering which is very good and you get to bring in your own alcohol. I'm having 200 people also and with the quote I got its definitely in your budget. Plus its a great central location (270 & 23).

peachykeen26 · January 2012

We have 100 guests for $4,000.

Stackeye210 · January 2012

We had 120 for about $4500 (minus rings and honeymoon) with those we spent about $10K.

We had our reception at Mentel Memorial Golf Course, although that may be a bit small for 200 people. Villa Milano has pretty good pricing and a very large venue. Their staff is great to work with, I use them each year to plan a big work conference. We have like 250 people that we feed breakfast and lunch, plus snack and spend about $10,000. So I imagine you could do really well on a budget there.

Prioritize your expenses and find ways to cut them. For example DIY, do lots of research to make sure you're getting good prices, negotiate prices, don't take the first one someone offers you. You can haggle iwth venues, food, photographer, cake, flowers ALL OF IT. Don't be afraid to ask for discounts.

annmarie714 · January 2012

If you venture to Chillicothe, I'm having a 220 person wedding for under $10,000. Over $10k with rings and HM. Check out Adena Mansion and the Madison on Paint.

KellyRVT · January 2012

I had my reception at the OSU Faculty Club. We spent around $10k for food, alcohol, appetizers, etc for around 120 people. I think you could have it done there for around $15k, but that would be for the reception only and not include DJ, centerpieces etc.

ameliah19 · January 2012

I am having a 150 person guest list (as of right now may be cutting some people who I really do not think need to come) for $12,000. We are at about $10,100 for the venue/alcohol (franklin park) and the catering (catering by scott who will be on the apprived caterer list for 2013). It is definitley doable. I say do a lot of DIY and go to a lot of craft stores. I found my invitations for $25.00 for a box of 50 with reply cards and envelopes at michaels and I had a coupon. Also go to bridal shows. That is how I found Scott, the caterer, and because I went to the bridal show I got my wedding cake for free (and it is delicious omg I cannot wait lol).

Also look for amateur photographers. I am having a girl who did a friend of mines pictures for her headshots and she is doing 400-600 pictures for our engagment photos for $80.00 and she is amazing (you do not have to have a "professional" to have amazing pictures)

Hope I helped :-)

dfricke · February 2012

I've posted this already but I'm buying my flowes from costco to make my own centerpieces. They sell boxes of bulk flowers.

Also, if you aren't already on it, get on Pinterest. It is a site that you can look at what other people do and even get instructions to crafts, food recipes, etc. Very helpful and inspirational!

I'm in the same boat as you... I have to stick to my budget!!!

Sticking to a $15,000 or less budget...

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